HONDA has just revealed this more adventure-focused variant of the Africa Twin, along with a round of updates for the base verson.
Called the Africa Twin Adventure Sport, the new version has a larger tank – up from 18.8 litres to 24.2 litres – a higher riding position, greater ground clearance and longer-travel suspension, plus heated grips and an extended fairing.
Along with the base-model, it benefits from a ride-by-wire throttle with three riding modes, extra traction control levels, plus a revised intake and exhaust and ‘more responsive power delivery and engaging engine sound,’ according to Honda.
It also celebrates the original XRV650 Africa Twin’s 30th anniversary with a new paint scheme.
Honda says the extra tank capacity boosts range to over 500km (310 miles).
Ground clearance is 270mm, 20mm more that the base model’s, while the stroke length of the 45mm Showa cartridge-type inverted front fork is up 22mm to 252mm. Rebound and compression damping are fully adjustable.
The Africa Twin Adventure Sport’s kerb weight is 243kg for the manual version or 253kg with Honda’s automatic Dual Clutch Transmission system, with 2.3kg saved by a new lithium-ion battery.
The base-model also gets a lithium-ion battery and is 2kg lighter than its predecessor, at 230kg for the manual edition or 240kg with DCT.
A modified airbox improves the mid-range response, as does a lighter balancer shaft weight, while exhaust revisions make for a more 'evocative howl', Honda says.
The 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels are now made from stainless steel, and block tyres are approved for fitment for 2018, according to the firm.
The riding modes offer different levels of power and the Honda Selectable Torque Control - or traction control - now has seven levels and off.
A quick-shifter is available as an option on the manual version.
The updates and new version were revealed in Milan this evening ahead of the Eicma motorcycle show.
Mr K. Morita, Honda’s Large Project Leader for the model, said: “Our CRF1000L Africa Twin has proven itself a worthy successor to the original and very much the ‘Go Anywhere’ machine that we set out to make.
“Over the last two years it’s a motorcycle that’s covered millions of kilometres, and we have received plentiful feedback from owners.
“For 2018, with the Africa Twin Adventure Sports we have used the revised CRF1000L as a starting point and added everything the long-distance rider needs to get the very most out of any adventure.”
Scroll down for more pictures.
Here are the specs, straight from Honda:
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports
| ENGINE | |
| Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin with 270° crank and uni-cam |
| Displacement | 998cm3 |
| Bore & Stroke | 92.0 x 75.1mm |
| Max. Power Output | 94 bhp/7,500rpm (95/1/EC) |
| Max. Torque | 99Nm/6,000rpm (95/1/EC) |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 24.2 litres |
| Fuel consumption (WMTC mode) | MT: 61.3 mpg (WMTC) |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Clutch | MT: Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminium Cam Assist and Slipper clutch DCT: 2 Wet multiple clutches |
| Gearbox / Transmission Type | Constant mesh 6-speed MT / 6-speed DCT with on and off-road riding modes |
| Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
| FRAME | |
| Type | Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear subframe |
| CHASSIS | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 2,340 x 930 x 1,570mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,580mm |
| Seat Height (STD position / Low position) | 900/920mm |
| Ground Clearance | 270mm |
| Kerb Weight | 243 kg (MT), 253kg (DCT) |
| Turning Radius | 2.6m |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Suspension (front) | Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork with hydraulic dial-style preload and damping (compression & rebound) adjuster, 252mm stroke, 224mm axle travel |
| Suspension (rear) | Monoblock cast aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link with gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustment, 240 mm rear wheel travel, 101 mm stroke |
| WHEELS | |
| Wheels Front | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Wheels Rear | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Rim Size Front | 21M/C x MT2.15 |
| Rim Size Rear | 18M/C x MT4.00 |
| Tyres Front | 90/90-21 tube type |
| Tyres Rear | 150/70-R18 tube type |
| BRAKES | |
| ABS system type | 2-Channel with rear ABS off switch |
| Type Front | 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads |
| Type Rear | 256mm wave hydraulic disc with 1-piston caliper and sintered metal pads. Also Lever-Lock Type Parking Brake System on DCT model with additional slide type 1-piston caliper |
| INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
| Instruments | Rally style negative LCD instrument display including: Riding Modes, Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel, Gear position, ABS, HSTC, Odometer, Trip and Clock |
| Headlight | Dual LED (1 High/1 Low) |
| Taillight | LED |
| Indicators | LED |
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin:
| ENGINE | |
| Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve parallel twin with 270° crank and uni-cam |
| Displacement | 998cm3 |
| Bore & Stroke | 92.0 x 75.1mm |
| Max. Power Output | 70kW/7,500rpm (95/1/EC) |
| Max. Torque | 99Nm/6,000rpm (95/1/EC) |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.8 litres |
| Fuel consumption (WMTC mode) | MT: 61.3 mpg (WMTC) |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Clutch | MT: Wet, multiplate with coil springs, Aluminium Cam Assist and Slipper clutch DCT: 2 Wet multiple clutches |
| Gearbox / Transmission Type | Constant mesh 6-speed MT / 6-speed DCT with on and off-road riding modes |
| Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
| FRAME | |
| Type | Steel semi-double cradle type with high-tensile strength steel rear subframe |
| CHASSIS | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 2,335 x 930 x 1,475mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,575mm |
| Seat Height (STD position / Low position) | 870/850mm |
| Ground Clearance | 250mm |
| Kerb Weight | 230 kg (MT), 240kg (DCT) |
| Turning Radius | 2.6m |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Suspension (front) | Showa 45mm cartridge-type inverted telescopic fork with hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and DF adjustment, 230mm stroke, 204mm axle travel |
| Suspension (rear) | Monoblock cast aluminium swing arm with Pro-Link with gas-charged damper, hydraulic dial-style preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustment, 220 mm rear wheel travel, 94 mm axle stroke |
| WHEELS | |
| Wheels Front | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Wheels Rear | Wire spoke with aluminium rim |
| Rim Size Front | 21M/C x MT2.15 |
| Rim Size Rear | 18M/C x MT4.00 |
| Tyres Front | 90/90-R21 tube type |
| Tyres Rear | 150/70-R18 tube type |
| BRAKES | |
| ABS system type | 2-Channel with rear ABS off switch |
| Type Front | 310mm dual wave floating hydraulic disc with aluminium hub and radial fit 4-piston calipers and sintered metal pads |
| Type Rear | 256mm wave hydraulic disc with 1-piston caliper and sintered metal pads. Also Lever-Lock Type Parking Brake System on DCT model with additional slide type 1-piston caliper |
| INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
| Instruments | Rally style negative LCD instrument display including: Riding Modes, Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel, Gear position, ABS, HSTC, Odometer, Trip and Clock |
| Headlight | Dual LED (1 High/1 Low) |
| Taillight | LED |
| Indicators | LED |
